That, combined with the smaller diameter wheels, means it’s even more comfortable than the Karoq. You also get a bit less road noise, although both cars are still admirably quiet.
You would expect the Karoq as a larger, heavier car to have a performance deficit. Yes, but the margins are so small that you don’t really notice. In the real world, both the Karoq and Octavia are quiet and smooth under normal conditions, and satisfyingly guts when you need a little extra grunt for overtaking or quick breakaways.
SUV: 4/5
Estate: 5/5
Conclusion
One thing is certain: both cars are brilliant. Whether you prefer an SUV or a station wagon, they lead their respective classes, exuding capacity, quality and comfort.
But what’s best? Well, if you add up our category scores, they come to an absolute dead end. The SUV is more versatile, easier to use and drive, and perhaps slightly better equipped; the estate, meanwhile, is cheaper to run, more comfortable and just a little bit smarter inside.
So really, they are horses for courses. If we had to pick a winner, we’d pick – by the tightest margins – the estate, its healthy combination of fractionally better safety and greater environmental friendliness that is progressive.